LONDON, July 17: Yorkshire staged a stunning recovery to reach the semifinals of the limited overs Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy after losing fewer wickets against Essex in a dramatic victory Tuesday.
An unbeaten sixth wicket stand of 128 between Anthony McGrath and Gary Fellows saw the White Rose county home with a ball to spare as the 50-over scores were left tied.
In Tuesday’s other quarterfinal, Kent enjoyed a much more comfortable passage into the last four as they beat Gloucestershire by five wickets with 5.4 overs to spare.
Yorkshire looked to be facing defeat as they slipped to 155 for five in reply to Essex’s of 283 for nine.
But with McGrath making 72 off 70 balls, and Fellows 68 from 59 deliveries, the pair completed a century stand off 14 overs to leave Yorkshire needing less than a run a ball from the last five overs.
At Canterbury, Kim Barnett, held their innings together with 108 off 136 balls, adding 100 for the sixth wicket with Jack Russell (66), as the visitors reached 232 for eight.
But Kent were always in control once Matthew Fleming made a quickfire 53 off 43 balls, with former Gloucestershire all-rounder Andrew Symonds adding a solid 47 in support.
At Hove: Surrey beat Sussex by 14 runs. Surrey 337 for three in 50 overs (A.Hollioake 117 not out, M.Ramprakash 107 not out, R.Clarke 55). Sussex 323 for eight in 50 overs (M.Goodwin 110 not out, R.Montgomerie 88).
At Taunton: Somerset beat Worcestershire by four wickets. Worcestershire 271 all out in 49 overs (B.Smith 85 not out, V.Solanki 53). Somerset 27 for six in 47.3 overs (K.Parsons 121).
At Chelmsford: Yorkshire beat Essex by losing fewer wickets. Essex 283-9 in 50 overs (A.Flower 75, D.Robinson 52); Yorkshire 283-5 in 50 overs (A.McGrath 72 not out, G.Fellows 68 not out).
At Canterbury: Kent beat Gloucestershire by five wickets. Gloucestershire 232-8 in 50 overs (K.Barnett 108, J.Russell 66); Kent 238-5 in 44.2 overs (M.Fleming 53).
Semifinal draw: Yorkshire v Surrey (to be played Wednesday, July 31) Somerset v Kent (to be played Thursday, August 1).